Encouraging initiative
<p>Encouraging initiative</p><p> Amid the waves of protests that have engulfed Jakarta and
other cities throughout this country in the wake of the combined
U.S.-British air and missile attacks in Afghanistan, the
initiative taken this week by a small section of Jakarta's
civilian community deserves our attention.</p><p>Concerned about the possibility of violence breaking out in
their neighborhood and mindful of the fact that the police cannot
always be counted on to be present if and when they are needed,
residents and representatives of businesses located along Jl.
Jaksa -- a small but bustling side-street in the Kebon Sirih area
in Central Jakarta -- on Wednesday took it upon themselves to
form a Community Communications Forum Against the Sweeping of
Foreigners.</p><p>Such "sweeps" or "sweepings" -- seeking out foreign nationals
and forcing them to leave this country -- were conducted by
militant elements in the Central Javanese city of Surakarta
several weeks ago. Following that lead, similar threats have been
made by militants in Jakarta and elsewhere in defiance of a
government warning that such action would invite stern action by
the authorities.</p><p>Jl. Jaksa's answer to this threat is to intensify the 24-hour
patrols along the street -- a security measure that has been in
place for years -- to keep out any intruders who might wish to
harm tourists staying or visiting there. In the face of such
threats, though, the Jl. Jaksa Community Forum remains entirely
peaceful in its intentions. "Should there be groups or
individuals who try to enter the street and cause a disturbance,
we will negotiate with them first. If that fails, we will call
for police assistance," says Max Wekan, the forum's deputy chief.
Proving to be as good as their word, residents on Wednesday
barred a group of anti-American protesters from entering the
street.</p><p>That such an initiative should have come from such an
insignificant side-street as Jl. Jaksa is easy enough to
understand. For many years, Jl. Jaksa has been a popular place to
stay for tourists traveling on a tight budget hailing from
Europe, America, Australia, Japan and elsewhere.</p><p>It would in all probability not be too far off the mark to say
that the concern of Jl. Jaksa's residents and business community
is for the most part full of self-interest. With the economic
slump continuing to drag on and investors being scared off by the
threats of violence against them, tourism -- or what remains of
it -- is at present possibly about the only source of income
Indonesians can look to. The stomach, it has been said, cannot
wait. The step from commercialism to compassion and humanity,
however, may not be as long as one may be led to believe.</p><p>Whatever the case may be though, the action taken by the Jl.
Jaksa community deserves the full support of the city's
authorities. Indeed, it may serve the Jakarta city authorities as
an inspiration on how to initiate one of the most effective ways
to step up security and order in the Indonesian capital: by
encouraging community initiatives.</p><p>So far, the Jl. Jaksa Community Communications Forum Against
the Sweeping of Foreigners has the pledged support of the local
subdistrict head, Sutopo, and, presumably, of the Menteng Police.
That, of course, is good. But it is not enough. Now that Jl.
Jaksa has set an example, Jakarta's city authorities must take up
the lead and expand this model -- more or less -- of ensuring
security and order in the community by encouraging community
initiatives. If Jl. Jaksa can do it, why not other neighborhoods?</p>
other cities throughout this country in the wake of the combined
U.S.-British air and missile attacks in Afghanistan, the
initiative taken this week by a small section of Jakarta's
civilian community deserves our attention.</p><p>Concerned about the possibility of violence breaking out in
their neighborhood and mindful of the fact that the police cannot
always be counted on to be present if and when they are needed,
residents and representatives of businesses located along Jl.
Jaksa -- a small but bustling side-street in the Kebon Sirih area
in Central Jakarta -- on Wednesday took it upon themselves to
form a Community Communications Forum Against the Sweeping of
Foreigners.</p><p>Such "sweeps" or "sweepings" -- seeking out foreign nationals
and forcing them to leave this country -- were conducted by
militant elements in the Central Javanese city of Surakarta
several weeks ago. Following that lead, similar threats have been
made by militants in Jakarta and elsewhere in defiance of a
government warning that such action would invite stern action by
the authorities.</p><p>Jl. Jaksa's answer to this threat is to intensify the 24-hour
patrols along the street -- a security measure that has been in
place for years -- to keep out any intruders who might wish to
harm tourists staying or visiting there. In the face of such
threats, though, the Jl. Jaksa Community Forum remains entirely
peaceful in its intentions. "Should there be groups or
individuals who try to enter the street and cause a disturbance,
we will negotiate with them first. If that fails, we will call
for police assistance," says Max Wekan, the forum's deputy chief.
Proving to be as good as their word, residents on Wednesday
barred a group of anti-American protesters from entering the
street.</p><p>That such an initiative should have come from such an
insignificant side-street as Jl. Jaksa is easy enough to
understand. For many years, Jl. Jaksa has been a popular place to
stay for tourists traveling on a tight budget hailing from
Europe, America, Australia, Japan and elsewhere.</p><p>It would in all probability not be too far off the mark to say
that the concern of Jl. Jaksa's residents and business community
is for the most part full of self-interest. With the economic
slump continuing to drag on and investors being scared off by the
threats of violence against them, tourism -- or what remains of
it -- is at present possibly about the only source of income
Indonesians can look to. The stomach, it has been said, cannot
wait. The step from commercialism to compassion and humanity,
however, may not be as long as one may be led to believe.</p><p>Whatever the case may be though, the action taken by the Jl.
Jaksa community deserves the full support of the city's
authorities. Indeed, it may serve the Jakarta city authorities as
an inspiration on how to initiate one of the most effective ways
to step up security and order in the Indonesian capital: by
encouraging community initiatives.</p><p>So far, the Jl. Jaksa Community Communications Forum Against
the Sweeping of Foreigners has the pledged support of the local
subdistrict head, Sutopo, and, presumably, of the Menteng Police.
That, of course, is good. But it is not enough. Now that Jl.
Jaksa has set an example, Jakarta's city authorities must take up
the lead and expand this model -- more or less -- of ensuring
security and order in the community by encouraging community
initiatives. If Jl. Jaksa can do it, why not other neighborhoods?</p>